Description
Overview
One doesn’t need to look far to see the possibilities and potential from the onslaught of software and communication technologies made available today and going forward. In the hands of good developers and diverse development teams, such technologies can enable all manner of business process accomplishments occur more effectively. They can make possible, greater social collaboration and outreach for the broad spectrum of industry and market sectors.
You get a sense of the power and influence that developers can help to deliver when one considers the volume and variety of data now available. By utilizing the variety of analytical facilities now available they can deliver application and services that employ the deepest insights, correlations and predictions. All of which can serve to achieve the most effective outcome.
So given the business demand for IT enabled growth, the onslaught of game-changing technology, devices and social trends, and the general consumerization of IT, is it any wonder that the development remit is now even broader?
We bandy around the word developer, but what does it really mean to be a developer in today’s climate? – and how is the role evolving to meet the needs of businesses today and for the future?
For many, the notion of software developer rarely extends beyond that of someone who simply develops software code. In reality, the term developer, when applied to software, covers a broad spread of roles with myriad responsibilities and pressures; beyond that of simply producing code.
One doesn’t need to look far to understand what makes a developer tick and what support is required. In regular studies from across the developer industry we get insights into what stresses them out, what technology frameworks they use and how productive they are.
There is good guidance out there to help managers better support developers in general. For example: ensuring that developers feel valued, have enthusiasm for their work, have the right tools, and are encouraged to challenge constructively.
Unfortunately few employers invest in training developers to update their skills or give them sufficient time within their work schedule for knowledge research. Instead the onus is put on the developer to use self-help books, online training or book their own courses. This has given rise to the value of the developer community.
Points discussed
- What are the needs, goals and focuses of the next generation of developers?
- What constitutes a first class developer community program?
- Given its history and standing within the software and technology domain, what resources is IBM providing to support the wider developer community and how is the company ensuring that it is staying relevant in today’s fast moving and highly competitive development market?
- What can businesses, development teams and individuals expect to gain from IBM’s investments in the developer community?
Participants
- Gina Poole, Vice President for Rational Marketing & Practitioner Outreach at IBM with responsibility for all worldwide marketing initiatives promoting IBM Software Group’s practitioner and software development offerings, including marketing and messaging strategy, communications, collateral, advertising, and corporate events.
- Clive Howard, Principal Practitioner Analyst here at Creative Intellect covering a range of developer focused topics such as Mobile, IoT, Agile development practices and strategies to name a few.
- Bola Rotibi, the Research Director here at Creative Intellect, moderated the podcast discussion.
